Egypt won a set in their first
match against Cuba
 Havana.
- Cuba defeated Egypt 3-1 (25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 25-13) at
Havana’s Ciudad Deportiva Hall, in their opening game of the
18th World League.
Determined to achieve a triumph in the first weekend of the
intercontinental round, the home team gave a great spectacle to
the cheering crowd, silenced only partially when Cubans lost the
third set.
Cuban starting line-up was with Rolando Jurquín, Oriel Camejo,
Roberlandy Simon, setter Yoandri Diaz, Odelvis Dominico and
Michael Sánchez, a.k.a. “The Russian”.
Egypt opened the match with Mohamed Gabal, Wael Al Aydy, Ashraf
Aboul Hassan, Saleh Fathy, Mohammed Badawy, Mohammed Elnafrawy
and Hossam Shaarawy
Cuba commanded from the beginning, thanks mainly to setter Díaz,
who ruled the attack and gave some poise to the game. Spiker
Raidel Corrales’s attacks were lethal from the sides, drilling
the ball between the opposite’s defense.
The situation remained the same in the second set, with the
Island giving up three more points, but always keeping the lead.
Their block was also very efficient, but they showed some nerves
in the serve.
Egypt surprised everyone beating Cuba in the third set, which
started with a tremendous block from center Simon. But soon
after, the visitors took a lead and never gave it up, in spite
of Cuban’s come back, late in the set.
Cuban serve kept awful in the fourth set, but they still were
better than their rivals, and finally won the match: this was
the first victory for Orlando Samuells in his return as Cuba’s
Head Coach, after years coaching abroad.
Both teams will play again Friday night in Havana, in their
second match of the intercontinental round
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